What It Is:

What It Does:

Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D. Lipid-Replenishing Cream Review

KEY INGREDIENTS:

I-modulia (the brand's patented blend of lipids, amino acids, and sugars, which reduces itching and inflammation and creates an antimicrobial barrier on the skin); Cer-Omega, mineral oil, and glycerin (moisturize)

HOW IT LOOKS/FEELS/SMELLS:

This white, fragrance-free cream is rich and velvety. It spreads easily on the skin—that is, if you can get it out of the bottle. (The airtight cap keeps the product fresh and sterile, but you might chip your manicure just trying to pop it open.) Like the other products in the line, it leaves a nonsticky protective film on the skin.

WHY WE LIKE IT:

This fragrance-free face-and-body cream is a savior for those with insanely dry skin and atopic dermatitis (a brutal skin condition that causes itchy, flaky, inconsolable skin). It heals and helps enable skin to better hold on to moisture. The cream (and the other two products in the line) provides relief in four ways: It inhibits the activity of a gene that kick-starts the inflammation process; it prevents skin cells from reacting to proteins that lead to itching; it builds up an antimicrobial layer on the skin's surface, which is one of the first lines of defense against allergens and irritants in the environment; and it tells the skin barrier to make more lipids, which help the skin retain moisture and heal. And it definitely delivers: Spreading the cream over her face and body after each shower left our tester's dermatitis-prone patches incredibly soft and soothed. "This line has a much lighter formulation that can actually help rebalance the skin and reduce itching," says Doris Day, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. "And building up the antimicrobial layer should help skin become healthier and less likely to react to irritants. This is such an important development for people with this problem."